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Oregon Department of Transportation officials want to update the west side of the Kuebler Road exit off Interstate 5 just south of Salem.

Developer Chuck Sides wants to see that happen. Then he can build a small shopping complex at that end of the exit.

However, he has his own ideas for upgrading the exit that he says will save the state $11 million. It will also enable him to build a larger shopping complex.

Members of the Oregon Transportation Commission will vote on his proposal Dec 19. Even if they accept it, however, they have to sit on it for 60 days in case anyone else has a better idea for upgrading the exit. That’s the law under the provisions of the Oregon Innovative Partnership Program approved by the Legislature in 2003.

“There’s no assurance they will ultimately accept our proposal,” said Sides. “I actually like the idea of shopping it around. Philosophically, I like it. I would be mad if we didn’t get chosen, but I like the idea for Oregon.”

Sides, a former legislator primarily known for being one of main developers of the Keizer Station shopping complex, added his proposal would add another three to six acres on land he has an option to buy and develop. Each acre represents at least 184 permanent jobs, he said.

Sides said his design increases acreage by using a diamond-shaped exit rather than the cloverleaf planned by ODOT officials. ODOT’s plan costs $18 million. His plan should cost more like $6 million, he said.

Making more land available is important, he added, because South Salem no longer has any commercial land available for development.

Sides said he has no precise plans for the shopping complex. First, he said, he has to attract tenants. He will have to wait and see whom he can lure once the economy gets a little better, he added.

“We have all kinds of drawings we call dream schematics at this point, but nothing beyond that,” he said.

Sides said he really wants to see the Innovative Partnership used. The program is supposed to encourage and accept innovative ideas from the public and private sectors beyond the traditional decision-making process. It has never been used. That’s a shame, he said.

“It gives you a lot more bang for your construction buck,” he added.